Additive   manufacturing   of   spare   parts   for   the  mining   industry  a   pilot   study   on   business   impact   from   an   aftermarket   perspective.

Abstract: The   purpose   of   this   pilot   study   was   to   identify   and   evaluate   different   business   cases   for   Epiroc’s  Parts   &   Services   Division   (PSD)   regarding   the   use   of   additive   manufacturing   (AM),   also   known   as  3D   printing,   for   their   spare   parts   within   the   mining   industry.    This   study   presents   an   approach   for  how   spare   parts   promising   for   AM   can   be   identified   and   shows   the   difficulties   with   AM.   The   study  follows   the   design   research   methodology   (DRM)   standard   for   research   within   product   and   process  development.   Through   interviews   and   literature   searches,   a   "top-down"   approach   was   applied.   A  developed   cost-benefit   model   accompanied   this   approach   and   was   used   to   identify   and   evaluate  potential   spare   parts   for   AM   from   Epiroc’s   current   spare   parts   portfolio.   The   results   were   evaluated  as   promising   for   several   of   the   spare   parts   in   terms   of   reduced   manufacturing,   procurement,   tool  cost,   and   lead   time   reduction,   which   results   in   increased   uptime   for   the   customer.   With   reduced   lead  times,   the   availability   increases   for   the   customer,   who   may   increase   Epiroc’s   sales   and   aftermarket  revenues   in   the   long   run.   There   is   also   great   potential   for   reducing   the   costs   for   warehousing,   where  spare   parts   of   low   demand   can   have   their   stocks   reduced   or   eliminated   by   securing   supply   through  on-demand   manufacturing.   Although   many   exciting   business   cases   have   been   identified   and  evaluated,   it   has   been   acknowledged   that   CNC-machining   in   many   cases   is   the   cheaper   alternative.  Despite   this,   it   is   worth   investing   in   AM   from   a   strategic   point   of   view   as   it   is   seen   as   a   tool   for   the  future.   Before   it   can   be   adopted   and   implemented,   Epiroc   should   do   test   trials   with   companies  offering   AM   services.   These   can   be   used   to   update   and   tune   the   cost-benefit   model   accordingly   to  increase   its   reliability   and   validity.   The   model   could   also   be   developed   further   to   incorporate   AM’s  additional   benefits,   such   as   weight   and   material   reduction   through   design   for   additive  manufacturing   (DfAM).